In the teachers lounge, I will be introducing a "Two Minute Talk" strategy. During two minute talks, students will share with a partner by brainstorming everything they already know about a skill, topic, or concept. In doing so, they are establishing a foundation of knowledge in preparation for learning new information about the skill, topic, or concept. Students will be grouped into pairs in which they will each be talking a a specific topic for two minutes. Students will choose which one talks first, then after two minutes the other student will do the talking. Using a timer, allow student #1 to talk. Then tell them switch when time is up. Allow student #2 to talk until time is up. Student #2 is allowed to repeat some of the same concepts and/or ideas about the topic; however, it is always encouraged to try and think of new information to share. Once this activity is over and both students have had a chance to talk to one another, the class will do a whole group discussion about what they learned or talked about with their partner.
-Ashley Joyce